NPR Project Likely to be Completed within Next Two Years

The Scheme to create National Population Register (NPR) is likely to be completed within the next two years. The Government is also considering a proposal of issuing Resident Identity Cards bearing the Aadhar numbers to all residents who are of age 18 years and above to help in the e-governance initiatives. This was announced in the 2012-13 Budget. Under the NPR project, the demographic data of more than a billion people has been completed through a house to house enumeration. The scanning of all the filled-in NPR schedules has been completed. The details required for the NPR has therefore been collected. The work of creation of the digital database and collection of biometrics is now going on. The data entry (in English and Regional language) of more than 54 crore persons has been completed till date. The entire work is expected to be completed by mid 2013.The capture of biometrics of more than 1.4 crore persons has been completed. The entire biometric enrolment is also expected to be completed by mid 2013. The NPR database consisting of demographic and biometric data will be sent to Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) for de-duplication and issue of UID Numbers (Aadhaar). After this, the Local Register of Usual Residents (LRUR) alongwith Aadhaar number would be published in the local areas for inviting objections and claims. The LRUR would also be placed before the Gram Sabha/ Ward Committee for social vetting. The claims and objections would be dealt with by revenue officials like Patwari, Tehsildars and Collectors/ DMs who are designated as the Local Registrars, Sub-district Registrars and District Registrars, respectively. The Government is also considering a proposal of issuing Resident Identity (smart) Cards (RICs) bearing the Aadhaar numbers to all usual residents who are of age 18 years and above in the country. This would be helpful in the e-governance initiatives, that are contemplated based on the Aadhaar platform. Under the NPR scheme all the usual residents in the country, who are of age 18 years and above will be issued Resident Identity (smart) Cards (RICs). The first phase of this scheme is under implementation in 3331 coastal villages and Port Blair Town (Andaman and Nicobar Islands) in 13 coastal States/UTs. A proposal to roll out the scheme in the rest of the country has been given ín principal clearance by the Planning Commission.